“Do Hot Girls Like Chords?”
Knower are back with their first full-length release in seven years “KNOWER FOREVER”. Formed in 2010, the duo is the brainchild of LA-based producers Louis Cole and Genevieve Artadi who continue to push genre-inflicted boundaries with their unique sound as they merge jazz, funk and electronic music. Constantly creative and always entertaining; If you haven’t already, you need to listen to Knower. What makes this album even more special is the exceptional talent that Cole and Artadi enlisted for its recording. Notable additions include MonoNeon and Sam Wilkes, who share the bass responsibilities, while Rai Thistlewayte and Jacob Mann do the same for keyboards. Sam Gendel also makes several appearances as the album’s resident saxophonist.
The album begins with the title track, ‘Knower Forever,’ which represents a departure from the band’s typical musical style. Instead of their usual sound, this song features live strings and brass, creating a classical-sounding intro that challenges any preconceived expectations you may have about a Knower track. However, they swiftly return to their familiar funky persona with the second track, ‘I’m The President.’ This amusing monologue explores themes of leadership, war, and sexism, making it a clear standout on the album. It’s a song that captivates both lyrically and instrumentally, with a lo-fi mix that deliberately separates the instrumentation from Genevieve’s signature soft vocals, perhaps wanting the listener to pay more attention to the lyrics. There’s no doubt this track is a brilliant reflection of the talent its creators possess. By this point I was already convinced I was going to be hooked, and my suspicions were further confirmed through the following track “The Abyss”.
Another masterpiece instrumentally, This time opting for a glitchier approach through the synth intro. Louis Cole’s drumming shines as a personal highlight. Every musician on the track seems to be performing at their peak, resulting in a delightfully fast-paced composition that exemplifies their exceptional musical abilities. Like its precursor track, ‘The Abyss’ was released as a single, and there’s no question as to why.
The accompanying music videos for the single releases feature Knower performing the tracks live from a house. From a horn section in the living room to a choir in the driveway, it’s clear that Knower can think outside of the box and the technical expertise required to record so many musicians playing simultaneously in different rooms is worth mentioning. The animations throughout the videos reflect the sense of humour that the band clearly enjoy utilising.
Another standout from the album is “It’s All Nothing Until It’s Everything.” In this track, Artadi showcases her vocal versatility, with moody, almost spoken vocals in the verses and more melodic, ballad-like vocals in the chorus. However, one potential critique of this song is that its composition, at times, feels overly complex, and detracts from the honest vulnerability of the lyrics. Sometimes with music, much like Pritt Stick, less is more. Nevertheless, these more emotional tracks still find a way to be pretty and meaningful. The album’s closing track, “Crash the Car,” breaks from this pattern by simplifying the structure, providing the vocals with more breathing room.”
For me, this album serves as a testament to remarkable musical talent, profound creativity, and an unmistakable dedication to the project. The personalities of both Cole and Artadi are expressed from start to finish. It’s difficult for me to pick out many negatives. The album is consistently exciting and musically challenging throughout, it tackles various subjects and stereotypes in a humorous manner and even in its less captivating moments, there are still positive elements to appreciate. It’s easily one of my favourite releases of the year, and I’m already excited for what they do next. Knower Forever.